The Only Way is Up

Part Thirty Seven

Chapter Thirty Seven

All day she worried about Maxim, he'd looked so lost, so devastated at the sight of the gym burning. But then he had placed all his hopes on developing his interests, and that place was an integral part of that, he must be feeling that his dreams were disappearing all over again. Carl had managed to hold him back, she was relieved at that, she honestly worried that he'd run into the burning building uncaring what happened. Mike had arrived a little later, placing an arm around her he encouraged her to go to work, and true to his word he called her am hour later to check she was ok, and to reassure her that they were all ok, but the fire investigators were there.

"And Maxim?" She'd felt nervous asking, but also worried that he hadn't called her himself.

Mike sighed, "he's like a pit-bull growling at everyone, he'll call you when he's calmer. Don't worry, ok?"

That didn't make it any easier to do.

Lunchtime came around, never soon enough, and she dived in her car and headed straight for the gym. The road was still cordoned off, so she had to walk from the nearest junction, it was a hot day and she was uncomfortable when she got there.

There were police and men in fire investigation team jackets swarming around the building very industriously, and for a moment she stood searching for someone she knew, a familiar face. Then he appeared from the fire investigators truck, Maxim, hand running through his hair looking fraught.

She rushed over to him and when his eyes met hers, he honestly looked relieved to see her, and that made her heart swell.

"Maxim, are you ok?"

He nodded, pulling her into his arms gratefully; she could feel his ragged breath against her scalp.

"It's a shock, I don't quite know what to say...to anyone."

Taking his hands she smiled up at him, "you're alive...and the dog. No one else was hurt."

"And I'm very grateful for that..." She sensed the 'but' before it arrived, "but I've lost everything. Every scrap of clothing, my laptop...my toothbrush. I don't know where to turn."

She squeezed his hands, "everything can be bought again."

He dropped his head, when he lifted it, he smiled, "you're right. Mike is trying to find me somewhere to stay..."

There was something he wasn't telling her, so she reached up and cupped his cheek, "what's wrong? I mean other than the fact your business/home have just been burnt to the ground." Glancing across she realised that things weren't QUITE that bad. But when her eyes returned to his, they didn't share her humour of her lightheartedness. "What's wrong Maxim? You're starting to scare me."

He looked down at her for an age, then leaned towards her, "this new business, plus the ventures I've got going with Mike. I don't have any disposable cash; I couldn't even rise to a deposit for somewhere alternative."

She smiled, "is that all? I could loan you the money..."

Immediately he protested, cutting her off, "I am not taking money from you, you have enough to deal with at the moment with the court case, your ex husband...so don't even begin to suggest that."

Laughing, she shook her head, "Wow, will you just listen for a moment? Loaning money was just ONE of my suggestions, and it was just that, a LOAN, but the other was that you move in to mine. At least until you get yourself sorted."